The Customs House

A Georgian building of grey granite on the Harborside quay, with an outside stair of fourteen stone steps rising to the upper door. In 1953 it held the harbor office, the dues book and, on most nights, Silas Penhallow.

He was found at the foot of those stairs shortly after midnight on Lantern Night. His lantern was still burning.

The building still stands. It sells ice cream now. Edmund Hale stood at the bottom of the stairs for a long time and did not buy any.